Legislative Director 

Job Title: Legislative Director Type: Full-Time, Salaried, Exempt

Location: Sacramento (hybrid remote – home & on-site at the Capitol)

Reports to: Managing Director Direct reports: Part time staff member and Legal Fellow

Start date: As soon as possible Application closing date: Open until filled.

Organizational Background

Equality California (EQCA) is the nation’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization with over 900,000 members. Equality California brings the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. Through its legislative work, EQCA has successfully sponsored over 150 pieces of pro-equality legislation cementing California as the state with strongest LGBTQ+-civil rights protections in the country.

Equality California Institute (EQCAI) is a 501(c)3 organization that has a parallel mission statement to EQCAI, its 501(c)4 counterpart. EQCAI educates the broader community on important LGBTQ+ issues such as transgender equality, violence and hate crimes, healthcare, health disparities, the needs of LGBTQ+ seniors and youth, homelessness and immigration. Over the last five years, EQCAI has spearheaded successful programs to tackle these issues, including multiple public education campaigns, such as the Safe and Supportive Schools Report Card, the Equality California Leadership Academy, the Equality California Mentorship Corps, Transform California, Equality4All, #Take It, I’m PrEPed, Let California Ring, Fair Share for Equality, the Breakthrough Conversations Project, and Health Happens with Equality.

Position Overview

Equality California is hiring an experienced Legislative Director to lead the organization’s state legislative advocacy and government affairs in Sacramento. The Legislative Director will lead the organization’s state policy, budget and administrative advocacy in Sacramento, including collaborating with legislative offices to pass sponsored and supported pro-equality legislation, analyzing and tracking pro-equality and anti-LGBTQ+ proposals, managing the organization’s partnership with the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus on key priorities and initiatives and serving as Equality California’s primary liaison to the California Legislature, the Governor’s Office and other state constitutional officers, departments and agencies. The Legislative Director will serve as a central convener of partner organizations in Sacramento and statewide, leading coordination of LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts and acting as a primary point of contact for key community stakeholders.

The Legislative Director will report to the Managing Director and will manage a legislative staff member (part-time) and a Legal Fellow. The Legislative Director will work closely with Equality California’s outside policy advisors and contract lobbyists.

The ideal candidate must have exceptional analytical skills, expertise in LGBTQ+ policy issues including health, education, and justice reform and significant legislative advocacy and/or management experience.

EQCA is a fast paced and collaborative environment and, as such, candidates must be able to multi-task, prioritize, solve problems with minimal support.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

Legislative Strategy & Planning: Develop and execute Equality California’s legislative package and oversee comprehensive legislative strategies to advance Equality California’s policy priorities at the state level. Track, analyze, and respond to legislation, budget proposals, and regulatory actions impacting LGBTQ+ communities.

Legislative Advocacy: Lead direct advocacy efforts with members of the California Legislature, constitutional officers, and key staff. Represent the organization in meetings, hearings, and negotiations, and oversee planning and execution of Equality California’s annual LGBTQ+ Advocacy Day, coordinating legislative engagement and stakeholder participation.

Coalition Management & External Engagement: Serve as a central convener of partner organizations in Sacramento and statewide, coordinating LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts and maintaining strong relationships with community stakeholders, advocacy partners, and allied organizations.

Policy Analysis & Development: Oversee analysis of complex policy proposals and develop recommendations, talking points, and written materials including bill analyses, position letters, and testimony. Support development of proactive legislative proposals in alignment with organizational priorities.

Cross-Functional Leadership: Collaborate closely with communications, political, and program teams to align legislative strategy with broader organizational goals. Support integration of advocacy campaigns, messaging, and stakeholder engagement efforts.

Leadership & Organizational Strategy: Provide strategic leadership on legislative priorities to senior leadership and the board. Contribute to organizational planning, including long-term policy strategy and campaign development.

Team Management: Supervise and support legislative staff, including setting priorities, managing workflows, and fostering professional development.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, or related field.
• At least 5 years of legislative advocacy and/or management experience
• Demonstrated ability to independently analyze complex policy proposals and develop strategic recommendations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including drafting policy materials and presenting to diverse audiences
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong decision-making skills and sound judgment
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders across diverse backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in or with the California State Legislature (e.g., for a member or as a legislative advocate)
• Experience managing diverse coalitions and coordinating across multiple partner organizations
• Supervisory experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and legislative tracking platforms

Benefits:

• • Cost-free medical coverage
  • Dental and vision plans
  • $50 per month for internet; $50 per month for mobile phone usage
  • 12 paid holidays + your Birthday is a paid holiday
  • 2 paid floating religious/cultural days
  • 2 paid personal days
  • 8 hours paid for civic participation
  • Winter Break (5 paid days off at the end of the year)
  • 15 days of vacation accrued per year.
  • 401k retirement plan with match
  • Company-sponsored life insurance, long-term, and short-term disability coverage.